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Timeline

Crime Files

Timeline

27 February 1930 John Thomas Straffen is born in Borden, Hampshire1938 The Straffen family return to England from India and settle in Bath1938 Straffen becomes known to authorities and is sent to a special school because of his poor behaviour1947 Straffen is committed to a ‘colony for mental defectives’ at Almondsbury, Somerset1951 Straffen is released on licence15 July 1951 Straffen strangles 6-year-old Brenda Goddard8 August 1951 Straffen murders 9-year-old Cicely BatsoneOctober 1951 Straffen is sent to Broadmoor high security mental hospital

29 April 1952 Straffen escapes from Broadmoor. 5-year-old Linda Bowyer is found strangled25 July 1952 Straffen is found guilty of murder and sentenced to be hanged29 August 1952 Straffen has his death sentence reprieved on the grounds of insanity19 November 2007 Straffen dies as Britain's longest-serving prisoner